Constant force golf swing training device, method of swing plane training and internet operation thereof

Abstract

Golf swing training device having constant resistive and rewind forces throughout the swings. An anchor positions a constant force unit, supplies a tether to a special contoured handle and is used indoor or out, preferably at a driving range or golf course. The CFU is preferably hung from a door top by a bracket or anchored to a free-standing pole. Kiosks may be located at driving ranges and golf courses for automated, coin or credit-card operation, or attendant operation, and may be linked to local or remote Internet-enabled computer control and monitoring centers. The use of constant force trains the body to learn perfect planar swing muscle memory by pulling the user into a fully-extended back swing position and to be lead side dominant in the down swing. A "perfect" club swing plane is developed with the force acting at or near the interlock by use of the special handles.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE[0001] This is the Regular US Application and / or its PCT counterpart of U.S. Provisional Application S. No. 60 / 339,138, filed Dec. 7, 2001, the priority of which is claimed under 35 US Code 119, and related treaties.[0002] The invention relates to the sport of golf, and includes a number of important aspects including a device to improve the golf swing of the player, more particularly to a constant force system that assists the user in developing a correct backswing, downswing and follow through. The invention also includes methods of swing plane training and internet-based management that permits the inventive devices to be operated on a "training time" subscription or rental basis.[0003] The very popular sport of golf entails a very complex motion to swing a golf club so as to either propel a golf ball a maximum distance in a desired direction, or to propel the golf ball a carefully controlled distance in a precisely determined direction. Almost all ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] Thus the CFU provides a means for exerting a force on the handle to induce and constrain the user to raise the handle and turn his / her body to perform a correct or optimum back swing. The CFU then provides resistance to the practice down swing, thereby inducing and constraining the user to perform that phase of the golf swing correctly. The inventive training device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, requires little space, is easily set up in an operative condition and easy to disassemble after use, or may be simply left in place since it takes up little room and is ordinarily mounted well above head height.

[0025] Accordingly, it is among the objects and advantages of the present invention to provide a golf training device to: a) assist the golfer in perfecting his / her backswing; b) assist the golfer in perfecting his / her downswing and the transition from backswing to downswing; c) induce and constrain the user to perform the practice backswing and downswing in an optimal and correct manner; d) assist the golfer in strengthening the musculature of the non-dominant side; and e) develop the proper use of the non-dominant side to provide the power necessary for an optimal and correct golf swing.

[0026] A key set of advantages and objectives of the inventive training device and method are: 1) It pulls the user into a perfect back swing position; 2) A club swing plane is developed with the force at the interlock to keep the "club" on and in the proper swing plane; and 3) It trains the body to be lead side dominant, left side for right handed golfers, and right side for lefties. That is, it develops lead side muscle memory, a process that includes change in the neural pathways of the brain. The rewind action of the CFU pulls the user into a perfect back swing position with fully extended arms and shoulders fully turned. In turn, this develops a longer arc with greater club head speed resulting in longer shots. The full, correct swing plane development leads to more consistency and accuracy in drives and iron shots.

[0028] Thus, when properly mounted and the training user is properly aligned with respect to the position of the CFU, the inventive system: 1) pulls the arms into a fully extended back swing position, keeping the arms in front of the body (the CFU relative to the use should not be behind the user); 2) turns the shoulders up to 90.degree., and assists in the limbering and warming-up by increasing the rotational angle; 3) aids in the weight transfer from the lead side to the "follow" side (right side in right handed golfers, the left side for lefties); 4) develops and instills a tempo that slows the transition form the back swing to the down swing, thus helping control the swing and helping the swing to stay on plane; 5) resists the swinging over or under the proper swing plane by increasing resistance when the line of force wanders outside, or does not intersect the interlock; it encourages a swing along the path of perceived least resistance; and 6) retrains the body to the lead side dominance.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, simple repetition, as at a driving range, does not assure that the swing is being performed correctly.

Many of the training devices of the art are quite complex and expensive.

Like the device of Brandon, the device taught by Fenton also lacks any features which would serve to induce and constrain the user to correctly perform the critically important back swing and down swing phases of a golf swing.

A relatively complex and costly adjustable, dual axis mechanism constrains and guides the pelvis in a first axis in the back and downswings, and in a second axis in the follow through.

Although this device addresses the pelvic rotation and weight shift during the swing, it does not address the development of a proper swing plane, arm extension, wrist positioning or the development of the proper pull-through of the opposite, lead shoulder and hip.

Correspondingly, it is difficult to develop the proper muscle memory to counter the natural dominant tendencies of the following side.

Learning or improving a complex physical task such as an optimum golf swing requires repetitive performance of the task, and involves the complex interaction of the muscular and nervous systems.

A consistently good swing cannot be developed if the backswing is poor or inconsistent.

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